Pet toy

Abstract

A pet toy is constructed of a resilient material that stretches and returns to its original shape when at rest. The toy further has a spiral, coiled, or wound shape that channels or directs stretch in a particular direction. The toy has stretch or shape-changing ability and can change in length by one and one-half times or more. In some instances an object can be used with the toy and be retained within an interior space of the toy.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pet toy comprising a body having a coiled middle portion positioned between a first end and a second end, wherein the body comprises a cross sectional surface that is larger at the first and second ends than at the coiled middle portion, wherein the pet toy comprises a first length, wherein the pet toy is configured to stretch to a second length in response to a force being applied to the pet toy, wherein the coiled middle portion is configured to uncoil in response to the pet toy being stretched. 
     
     
       2. The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled middle portion is configured to return the pet toy to the first length from the second length in response to the force being removed from the pet toy. 
     
     
       3. The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein the pet toy is constructed of a resilient material. 
     
     
       4. The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled middle portion is configured to recoil in response to the force being removed from the pet toy. 
     
     
       5. The pet toy of  claim 4 , wherein the recoiling of the coiled middle portion returns the pet toy to the first length from the second length. 
     
     
       6. The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled middle portion is configured to direct stretch of the pet toy in a specific direction. 
     
     
       7. The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein the pet toy comprises an interior space. 
     
     
       8. The pet toy of  claim 7 , wherein the interior space is configured to hold an object. 
     
     
       9. The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled middle portion comprises an elongate member extending from a first end of the pet toy to a second end of the pet toy. 
     
     
       10. The pet toy of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate member comprises an outer surface, wherein the outer surface defines a shape of the pet toy. 
     
     
       11. The pet toy of  claim 10 , wherein the shape of the pet toy comprises a sphere. 
     
     
       12. The pet toy of  claim 10 , wherein the shape of the pet toy comprises an ellipsoid. 
     
     
       13. The pet toy of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate member comprises an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a shape of an interior space of the pet toy. 
     
     
       14. The pet toy of  claim 13 , wherein the shape of the interior space comprises a sphere. 
     
     
       15. The pet toy of  claim 13 , wherein the shape of the interior space comprises an ellipsoid. 
     
     
       16. The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a diameter that is larger at the first and second ends than at the middle portion when the pet toy is stretched to the second length.